12 Insights from Someone Who’s Been There, Done That
By Motivational Business Keynote Speaker Connie Podesta
I recently spoke to a large audience made up mostly of millennials. And they had tons of questions about working with “older people”. And I realized ... hey, that’s me! I am always teaching people how to deal with the millennials, but I never teach them how to deal with us. So, in fun, here are a few good tips when working with the rest of us that just might come in handy. Whichever side of the generational fence you’re on – these will be good tips to take with you!
13 Top Read More

Listen FIRST!
By Connie Podesta, Business Motivational Speaker, and Human Behavior Expert
There are a LOT of leaders who come into their position waving their “I'm the boss” flag like gangbusters. You know the type. Hit everyone with new rules. New ideas. New ways. Grand proclamations about being IN CHARGE! Start marking territory. Um… psychologically speaking? That’s the fastest way to send your team upside down and underground awaiting your fall from grace.
Here’s a leadership hack for you: START by LISTENING. What? How novel! When people feel like they are being HEARD and Read More

For All the PEOPLE in Your Life
by Motivational Keynote Speaker Connie Podesta
FAMILY. FRIENDS. CO-WORKERS. NEIGHBORS. We're all connected - right? But sometimes creating or keeping those important relationships in our lives is not always a walk in the park. This week, as part of my free gifts campaign, I wanted to offer you one of my latest eBooks, STANDOUT Relationships.
Pulled from my two-time Best Business Book of the Year 10 Ways to STANDOUT From the Crowd, you'll find this book delivers powerful strategies for really understanding the people in your life and how you can Read More

Six Essential Elements to Adopt in Your Business
By award-winning Keynote Speaker and Author Connie Podesta
Bottom line: If you don’t understand PEOPLE-- customers, colleagues, leaders, owners, family, friends and YOURSELF, there is NO WAY you can ever experience success—at any level.
Imagine just for a moment how much you, your team, and your franchise could accomplish if you understood WHY people do what they do and say what they say. Especially when it comes to your customers.
Reality check: Customers are picky, internet savvy, impatient (even INSTANT gratification takes way Read More

Top Tips for Dealing with THESE Difficult People
By Connie Podesta
In any situation where you suspect passive-aggressive behavior, you must begin by first taking a close look at yourself and your dominant communication style. This is NOT to excuse them in any way, because their behavior is definitely unhealthy, non-productive, and usually hurtful. But we need to take an honest look at our own behavior to determine if we are possibly contributing to an environment that allows passive-behavior to grow and thrive. Passive-aggressives are reacting to us and to what they believe we are Read More

More From the Life Would Be Easy Series...
By Connie Podesta
Passives take the path of least resistance by tuning out, ignoring, avoiding or backing away and withdrawing from people and situations rather than dealing with them head-on. I know they say the “meek shall inherit the earth” but it sure don’t make it any easier for the rest of us (or themselves for that matter) whether it’s in the workplace, at home, at a family gathering or dealing with customers. So let’s explore what’s going on inside this always intimidated, afraid-to-get-their-needs-met and often frustrating personality. Read More

Communication: The Good & The Bad
By Motivational Speaker Connie Podesta
Let’s face it – there’s some real intolerable, grumpy, difficult people in this world-- and more than likely you’re running into them on a daily basis thinking, “What the heck? Why do they have to be LIKE THAT?”
Truth is, there are a whole lot of reasons they are and we’re going to walk you through the good, the bad and the ugly of it so that you can better steer clear of the ones that are over-the-top trouble and leverage the ones whose actions can help you. I’m also going to share how to assert yourself Read More

By Motivational Speaker Connie Podesta
Go on, it’s okay. Admit it!
We all know that life would be a whole lot easier if we didn’t have to deal with those few (or many) difficult people we just can’t seem to avoid. I think you know who I’m talking about.
What’s not okay is to give up something you need, want, or deserve because of their rude, obnoxious, sullen, and apathetic habits. Yes, I do mean “habits.” If you’re tired of playing their game, take charge of your life by taking a good look at yourself! You can not change them, but you can change what you do and how you act around Read More

How to Separate the Friends-in-Need From the Drama Magnets
By Motivational Speaker Connie Podesta
If you’re like most folks, there’s probably someone lurking in your life who is what I call a “drama magnet.” Oh you know them. They suck you in and bring you down and rob you of valuable time and energy. Sometimes you can even feel them coming can’t you? Those little hairs on the back of your neck stand up as a way for your subconscious to yell WARNING! It’s time to ditch the drama.
First of all, I’m not saying everyone who tells you their troubles is a drama magnet. Far from it. Read More

By Motivational Speaker Connie Podesta
While traveling this week I was reminded of how I came to write my book Texting Harry. It was an eye-opening story about one person’s willingness to re-think options, re-assess the desire to learn new things and re-evaluate how to fit into a future where change happens at the click of a mouse. Harry believed that texting was “stupid” and social media was a “waste of time.”
It’s funny isn’t it? How sometimes perceptions can change and lives can change in the blink of an eye?
I was on a plane and delayed, texting my husband, and “Grumpy Harry” as Read More